Eating in China
Meitan Cuiya tea

Meitan Cuiya tea

湄潭翠芽Méitán cuìyá

A Guizhou green tea with small, smooth, flattened leaves. Its clear pale green to yellow-green infusion tastes fresh and mellow, with a delicate chestnut-like aroma in some grades; no nuts are added.

Order in Chinese

At the table

How to enjoy it

Let the tea cool slightly, then sip from the cup, leaving the leaves behind. If served in a pot or gaiwan, pour the infusion into a drinking cup; the leaves can be infused again.

A useful check

Contains caffeine and may be served very hot. This is not a caffeine-free herbal drink.

How it may vary

The representative cup is plain, without added sugar, milk or honey. Leaf selection, processing and brewing strength affect its taste.

Know what you’re trying.

Plain brewed tea; no fixed serving size.

Ingredients

The named tea leaves and water.

Origin & regional roots

Guizhou

Associated with Guizhou.

About this regional connection

Guizhou: Meitan and the associated Zunyi tea-producing region.

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Ask if they have it first

ASK IF IT'S AVAILABLE

请问你们有湄潭翠芽吗?

Do you have this item?

A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ

Story & history

Meitan Cuiya tea

This account describes a tradition or story, rather than an established historical fact.

Meitan Cuiya represents Guizhou's flat-leaf tea-making tradition. Careful shaping gives the leaves their smooth, pointed outline; the name refers to tea, not an added plant or flavouring.

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